Hookah

ABSTRACT

An electronic hookah with a pair of delivery hoses. A cartridge assembly containing a plurality of e-liquids and manifold produces smoking vapor according to the preferences of the user. Preferences may include a flavor mixture, intensity of the vapor and other parameters. Both the cartridge and the hoses include unique identifiers. The users identity is associated in the hose to ensure their experience is the same on any hookah when using their own hose. The chip in the cartridge identifies the contents of the cartridge and assures is authenticity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to smoking hookahs, and more particularly, to an improved hookah with electronically controlled flavoring for different users.

2. Description of the Related Art

Several designs for hookahs have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes an electronically controlled electronic vaporizer hookah having a cartridge with multiple flavors of vaporizer liquids that blend and mix according to user desires and where the hookah recognizes individual users and their profiles to provide consistent vaping results in compatible hookahs.

Further, no other designs are known to include uniquely identified cartridges and delivery hoses that identify the user and components to deliver a personalized user experience in different locations and with different hardware components. Users are also encouraged to share and trade flavor mixtures and other profile elements to encourage social interactions.

Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification and title are provided as well for the purposes of complying with 37 CFR 1.72 and are not intended to be used for interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the detailed description of the invention below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a hookah that has a portable user profile that follows the user.

It is another object of this invention to provide a hookah system that allows users to custom define flavor blends and to share those with other hookah users.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a hookah that recognizes uniquely identifiable user hoses and vaporizer liquid cartridges to provide a unique and proprietary experience.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hookah.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a vaporizer assembly with a cartridge installed.

FIG. 3 shows an elevation cross-section view of a vaporizer assembly.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge.

FIG. 5 shows an elevation view of a hookah vapor delivery hose.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example of internal components of a vaporizer hookah.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplary of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated and described.

For the purpose of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated or is obvious by context. The figures are merely enabling and show examples of the features and details of the invention. The actual embodiment of the invention may appear different and remain within the inventive scope of the device.

The subject device and method of use is sometimes referred to as the device, the invention, the hookah, the vaporizer, the machine or other similar terms. These terms may be used interchangeably as context requires and from use the intent becomes apparent. The masculine can sometimes refer to the feminine and neuter and vice versa. The plural may include the singular and singular the plural as appropriate from a fair and reasonable interpretation in the situation.

The terms vaporizer liquid, e-liquid, liquid, e-juice, liquid to be vaped or vaporized or other similar terms are generally synonymous and are generally recognized in the art. These may include flavors, smells, colors, additives like nicotine, alcohol or other additions or enhancers.

These components are generally consumed in the vaporizing process when inhaled or vaped by the user.

An important version of the device can be fairly described as an electronic hookah having a computer and two hoses connected to a housing. The housing is supported by a base or frame. Each hose has an integral chip associated with a unique user profile. The chip could be RFID or other uniquely identifying technology. A user profile includes parameters for flavor preferences, intensity, airflow and other user likes or dislikes. These may also be shared with other users. The computer recognizes the user profile associated with a hose when that hose is connected to the housing to provide that user a custom experience. The computer is network integrated to share the user profile associated with that hose when that hose is connected to a second hookah. This provides a uniform experience when the hose is used with other hookahs so that the users preference follows them with their hose. A cartridge with a plurality of vessels each containing a predetermined e-liquid connects to a manifold that operatively connects to the hoses connected to the housing. The e-liquid could contain nicotine, alcohol or other additives as desired by the user. An intake valve on the manifold senses a vacuum applied to a hose when the user begins to draw a breath through the hose and causes the computer to heat the e-liquid and dispense the vapor from one or more vessels of e-liquid according to the user preferences associated with that hose. This can create a unique blend of multiple e-liquids for a custom experience. Optionally, the manifold has two valves associated with each vessel in the cartridge and each of both valves on a vessel serves only one of the hoses so that both hoses can provide different flavor mixtures simultaneously to each of the connected hoses. Optionally, the user profile is shared over the network and included in a second user profile, for example sent to a friend to add to their profile. Optionally, the hose includes a decorative light. Optionally, a cleaning fluid is contained in the housing with a pump to clean the hoses and/or the manifold prior to producing a vapor.

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes a burner assembly 12, a tray 14, a cover 16, a hose assembly 18, a display 20, a neck 22, a controller 24, a holder 26, a base 28, a connector 30, a tube 32, lights 34, a button 36, a mouthpiece 38, a tip 40, a cartridge assembly 42, a cover 44, an intake 46, a vessel 48, an output 50, a coil 52, a membrane 54, a valve 56, a mixing chamber 58, a disk 60, a valve 62, a chip 64, a battery 66, base 68, a container 70, a pump 72, a controller 74, a tube 76, a tube 78, a tube 80 and a chip 82.

The hookah, is a multi-user smoking device that heats a flavored liquid to its boiling point and that becomes vapor that can be inhaled. The heater is surrounded with polyfoam soaked in a chamber of the desired flavored liquid. The usage of polyfoam is to limit the amount of liquid to be vaporized. Other suitable materials. Other than polyfoam, may also work that absorb the vaping liquid and resist the heat from the coils or heating element to avoid damage and premature failure.

The controller 24 connects to the holder 26 on the side of the cover 16. The controller 24 may be a proprietary device or may be a tablet, phone or other common computing device that connects to the controller 74 inside the hookah. The controller 24 may store the various user profiles associated with the specific hose assemblies 18 as identified uniquely by the chip 64 in the connector 30.

The unit that contains the heater, flavor and liquid to be vaporized is called cartridge. In one version, it is made of three different materials including anodized aluminum for the main body, chrome plated brass for the heating module and heat resistant glass for the vaporizer liquid container. The liquid to be vaped may also be fabricated from anodized aluminum.

The burner assembly 12 contains the cartridge assembly 42, seen in FIG. 2, with the e-liquid. The cartridge assembly 42 itself is held inside the manifold as seen in FIG. 3. The manifold assembly 42 has in intake 46 for each of the vessels 48 containing the e-liquid. The bottom of each of the vessels 48 has a coil 52 (or other heater) to warm and vaporize the e-liquid. The coil 52 could alternatively be located in the manifold structure in FIG. 3.

Each vessel 48 of e-liquid is associated with an intake 46 and a valve 56. In the version of the invention where both hose assemblies 18 are connected to a single cartridge assembly 42 there may be a valve 56 for each vessel 48 so that each hose assembly 18 may be provided its own blend or custom mixture of vape e-liquids in its own unique profile simultaneously with a different profile delivered to the other of the pair of hose assemblies 18 attached to one hookah.

Alternatively, there may be an independent mixing assembly and cartridge as seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 for each hose assembly 18 to be completely independently operated. In this way, each hose assembly 18 can have its own independent user profile or menu of flavors and intensities delivered regardless of what the other user attached to the hookah may be enjoying.

A display 20 may be provided on the burner assembly 12 to show information such as the status of the system, the user profiles or other things useful or entertaining to the users. The neck 22 connects the burner assembly 12 to the balance of the hookah. In at least one version of the hookah the entire burner assembly 12 is replaced when refilling the unit after being used.

The tray 14 may be hold articles for the user or things and supplied for the hookah. The tray 14 may also provide a grasping means to remove the burner assembly 12 from the hookah for maintenance, cleaning and refilling.

The chip 82 may be provided on the cartridge assembly 42 to uniquely identify the cartridge assembly 42. This may identify the specific flavors or other contents of the vessels 48 in that cartridge assembly 42. The chip 82 can also help ensure that the cartridge assembly 42 is genuine and not a counterfeit. This can enhance safety of the device including the coils and e-liquid. A chip reader in the mixing assembly (FIG. 3) may be electronically connected to the controller 74 that is in turn connected by network to a verification server or algorithm to verify the authenticity of the cartridge assembly 42.

Inside the device, under the cover 16, are the internal components of the hookah as seen in FIG. 6. The depiction in FIG. 6 is merely an example of the parts and not indicative of the specific layout of the several elements inside. A structure such as a base 68 may support the parts and the cover 16 of the hookah.

The hookah could be powered with wall current or could be powered with a battery 66. The battery 66 powers the coils 52, the controller 74 and if present, the lights 34 and the pump 72 to push the cleaning fluid to the necessary places to remove the residue. The power from the battery may be distributed by wires 84. A signal between the controller 24 and controller 74 may be wired or wireless.

To control the power of the heater we control the frequency of the direct current power energizing the coil which is obtained using a signal from the main micro controller 74.

The user can select the airflow and vapor intensity. The airflow is regulated by a specially designed servo valve 56 that controls the opening of the intake 46 which also regulates the suction intensity. The smoke intensity is determined based on the power of the heater element or coil 52 and the amount of air being sucked into any of the intakes 46. There is an intake 46 paired with each of the vessels 48 that contain the vaping liquid to be inhaled.

There may be an absolute pressure sensor that measures the ambient pressure when the hookah is not in use. The pressure is then monitored and measured when in use to determine the inhaled pressure. Based on the inhaled pressure (or vacuum), the valve opening is automatically adjusted and the desired smoke intensity is ultimately controlled by the micro-controller 74.

The microcontroller 74 will calculate the frequency, the formula for the calculation and other variables. This, in combination with the valve opening, smoke intensity and the pressure, the boiling point of the e-liquid, its viscosity and the porosity, density and absorbency of the polyfoam will also contribute to the experience of the user provided at the tip 40. The the heater or coil 52 resistance will also affect the power consumption that will be taken into account by the controller 74.

Each cartridge assembly 42 will generally be used only once and will not be refillable by the end user. Each cartridge assembly 42 has an identification chip installed in it, the chip has a combination of four resistors that can create an infinite number of combination, those combinations as well as the viscosity, porosity of the polyfoam, the resistance of the heater and the viscosity of the flavor are updated on the app which is transferred to the micro-controller 74 each time a new flavor mixture is created.

There are a total of five heaters. Heaters are generally defined as a coil 52 but may take other forms of heat producing devices that heat the e-liquid. Each of the heaters have an intake 46 that are connected to the same source. That source may come from the water container 70 output and an electro-mechanical solenoid valve output.

After each time the user selects a different flavor the hookah goes through a cleaning cycle by forcing pressurized air to the air intakes 46 source without powering up the coils 52 (also equally referred to as heaters), to clean the airpath from the previous vapor. The input of the solenoid valve 56 is pressurized with air by a fan.

Since the device supports two simultaneous users to vape (also referred to in the alternative as “smoke”) at the same time, each flavor is divided into two paths, each path feeding one user through their respective base 28 and hose assembly 18. Each heater smoke output is connected to servo plug valves that control the flow of the vapor, the servo plug valve 62 feedback is wired back to the micro-controller 74 to obtain a fully closed loop for exact positioning.

There are five flavors (heaters 52 coupled with e-liquid vessels 48) there are a total of eight servo valves 56 to control output of the flavors. The output of five of the servo valves 56 are duplex (two valves merged into one) and are connected to a mixer 58 that independently controls the vapor delivered to each user. The mixer 58 has unique features that mix the vapor from each of the heated vessels 48 of e-liquid. The output of each mixer 50 is connected to the smoking hose assembly 18 and to an absolute pressure sensor that monitors the suction pressure. The suction pressure can be controlled by a servo valve on the air inputs to the mixer 50 or the suction can be on the hose assembly 18 with the valve 62. There may be an additional valve 56 on the cartridge assembly 42 to open and close access to the cartridge assembly 42 during the cleaning cycle. In one version of the hookah without a return valve there may also be a fan built into the base 68 (or other part of the hookah structure) that automatically extracts the stale air or unconsumed vapor. This air clearing function may be automatic or may be initiated by a button on the hookah.

The mixer 58 has five inputs 46, one for each of the five vessels 48 with e-liquid, and one output 50, the inner walls are specially designed for a smooth airflow that also generates a homogenized mixed vapor. Each input 46 to the mixer 58 has a non-return valve embodied as a gravity-controlled membrane 54. A non-return valve membrane 54 with the mixer 58 is to avoid the flavor mix between both users.

When the hookah is not in use the membrane 54 leans on the disk 60 input holes blocking them. Since the pressure at the inputs 46 and output 50 are equal the membrane 54 will not move. When one user starts smoking, a lower pressure will be generated at the input 46 hole of the flavor vessel 48 used by the other user. This will result in forcing the membrane 54 towards the low pressure input 46 by the atmospheric pressure at the output 50. This thereby avoids the suction of the mixed flavor in the mixer 58 to flow towards the second user.

Each user's hose assembly 18 may be connected to their own cartridge assembly 42 and mixer 58 so that there is no issue with mixing one users flavors with the other user. Each will have their own independent system to generate smoking vapor that does not blend with the other side of the hookah.

The valve 56 controls the vaporized liquid flow by controlling the airflow. These internal components may become sticky after a period of time the vapor precipitates on the several parts. Similarly this can impart a flavor from previous blends. A container 70 with a cleaning solution, such as water and or isopropyl alcohol blend, can use used to flush the intakes 46, mixing chambers 58 and output 50. Tubes 76, 78 and 80 direct the cleaning liquid to the parts as needed.

Similarly, the base 28 and tubes 32 may also be cleaned with the solution stored in the container 70. A pump 72 may be provided to force the cleaning liquid under pressure to the correct parts. The cleaning fluids may be expelled at the ends of the tubes 32, 76, 78 and 80 or be drawn back into the container 70.

high-speed timer measures the time between the changing between different flavors in the several vessels 48 and compares it to a preset, expected value. This, combined with the consumed current and the voltage applied it checks if any of the valves 56 needs cleaning. If any of the valves 56 needs to be cleaned cleaning it notifies the user to clean the device on the display on the controller 24 or on the display 20.

The cleaning can then takes place by opening the servo valves 56 to their maximum aperture and poring solvent liquid from the main air intake then slowly moving the valve plugs to clean them. A brush may also be used to scrub difficult residues. The components may be easily manually separable to ensure that all the parts are easily accessed and are readily cleanable.

The Hookah has two hose assemblies 18, one for each user. Each hose assembly 18 has an attachable connector 30 which also has a chip 64. If the user inserts a connector 30 that hasn't been used before, the micro-controller in the base 28 recognizes it as a new user and generates a new profile in the controller 24. The user then is given the option to select the desired flavor to smoke (vape) or a mixture of several flavors. As well as the smoking parameters, such as smoke intensity, airflow and other user controllable features.

All the data input by the user and the ones calculated by the micro-controller are saved under the user's profile. If a new hose assembly 18 is added another profile is generated for the new user. If the tip that was programmed on the first hose later is inserted on any other base 28, all the data transfers to that hose assembly 18, giving the user all the options and setting earlier use so that they will only need to set up that profile once and it is populated in another device, recognizing that unique user's chip 64 in their hose assembly 18.

The battery 66 powers the hookah including the coils 52, the valves 56 and 62, the pump 72 if present, the lights 34, the display 20 and any other accessories. The heaters/coils 52 consume very high current. They drops the voltage drastically while powering on and creating the vapor. A separate power source may also be used to ensure enough power for the electronics.

The battery 66 pack may be divided into two packs. The primary pack is a low current low capacity pack and the secondary pack has a higher current limit and a bigger capacity. For safety purposes the battery connectors will not allow current flow unless it is attached to the hookah. After a couple of seconds the battery will open the flow gate to allow current flow.

The hose assembly 18 may include decorative lights 34 along the hose 32. These lights 34 may be programmed by the controller 74 to have different sequences, color or patterns to indicate different modes or conditions of the hookah system. A button 36 may be provided on or near the mouthpiece 38 and handy to the user to control features of the hookah, such as initiating the coils 52 to begin producing vapor in the currently selected program. Vapor is then drawn into the mouth of the user through the tip 40.

When only one mixing chamber 58 and cartridge assembly 42 combination is used in a single hookah, a valve 62 may be used to allow only one user to draw vapor through their hose assembly 18 at a time. The first one to draw through the system will essentially close off the other users so both hose assemblies 18 are not used simultaneously. This preserves each users settings associated with their hose assembly without mixing vapor flavors.

The controller 24 is a user interface that shows the various parameter of vaping that the hookah can produce along with a user profile. The users may adjust their profile including, for example, vape intensity, flavor, resistance, the decorative light feature in the hose or any other part of that user's profile.

An important version of the present device can be fairly described as an electronic hookah having a computer and two hoses connected to a housing. Each hose has an integral chip associated with a unique user profile, like an ID chip. A user profile includes parameters for flavor preferences, intensity, airflow and any other smoker preferences. The computer recognizes the user profile associated with a hose when that hose is connected to the housing remotely or by plug in. The computer is network integrated to share the user profile associated with that hose when that hose is connected to a second hookah. A cartridge with a plurality of vessels each containing a predetermined e-liquid connects to a manifold that operatively connects to the hoses connected to the housing. An intake valve on the manifold senses a vacuum applied to a hose and causes the computer to heat and dispense one or more vessels of e-liquid according to the user preferences associated with that hose. Optionally, the manifold has two valves associated with each vessel in the cartridge and each of both valves on a vessel serves only one of the hoses so that both hoses can provide different flavor mixtures simultaneously to independently service a user profile. Optionally a user profile is shared over the network and included in (i.e. added to) a second user profile or shared with other users so that they can use the settings in that shared profile. Optionally the hose includes a decorative light. Optionally, a cleaning fluid is contained in the housing with a pump to push the fluid to clean any residue the hoses or the manifold prior to producing a vapor.

Another important version of the device can be fairly described as an electronic hookah having a computer and two hoses connected to a housing. Each hose has an integral chip associated with a unique user profile. Each user profile includes parameters for flavor preferences, intensity and airflow. The computer recognizes the user profile associated with a hose when that hose is connected to the housing. The computer is network integrated to share the user profile associated with that hose when that hose is connected to a second hookah. A cartridge with a plurality of vessels each containing a predetermined e-liquid connects to a manifold that operatively connects to the hoses connected to the housing. An intake valve on the manifold senses a vacuum applied to a hose and causes the computer to heat and dispense one or more vessels of e-liquid according to the user preferences associated with that hose. The manifold has two valves associated with each vessel in the cartridge and each of both valves on a vessel serves only one of the hoses so that both hoses can provide different flavor mixtures simultaneously. A user profile is shared over the network and included in a second user profile. The hose includes a decorative light. A cleaning fluid is contained in the housing with a pump to clean the hoses or the manifold prior to producing a vapor.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic hookah having a computer and two hoses connected to a housing; each hose has an integral chip associated with a unique user profile; a user profile includes parameters for flavor preferences, intensity and airflow; the computer recognizes the user profile associated with a hose when that hose is connected to the housing; the computer is network integrated to share the user profile associated with that hose when that hose is connected to a second hookah; a cartridge with a plurality of vessels each containing a predetermined e-liquid connects to a manifold that operatively connects to the hoses connected to the housing; an intake valve on the manifold senses a vacuum applied to a hose and causes the computer to heat and dispense one or more vessels of e-liquid according to the user preferences associated with that hose.
 2. An electronic hookah as in claim 1 further characterized in that the manifold has two valves associated with each vessel in the cartridge and each of both valves on a vessel serves only one of the hoses so that both hoses can provide different flavor mixtures simultaneously.
 3. An electronic hookah as in claim 1 further characterized in that a user profile is shared over the network and included in a second user profile.
 4. An electronic hookah as in claim 1 further characterized in that the hose includes a decorative light.
 5. An electronic hookah as in claim 1 further characterized in that a cleaning fluid is contained in the housing with a pump to clean the hoses or the manifold prior to producing a vapor.
 6. An electronic hookah having a computer and two hoses connected to a housing; each hose has an integral chip associated with a unique user profile; a user profile includes parameters for flavor preferences, intensity and airflow; the computer recognizes the user profile associated with a hose when that hose is connected to the housing; the computer is network integrated to share the user profile associated with that hose when that hose is connected to a second hookah; a cartridge with a plurality of vessels each containing a predetermined e-liquid connects to a manifold that operatively connects to the hoses connected to the housing; an intake valve on the manifold senses a vacuum applied to a hose and causes the computer to heat and dispense one or more vessels of e-liquid according to the user preferences associated with that hose; the manifold has two valves associated with each vessel in the cartridge and each of both valves on a vessel serves only one of the hoses so that both hoses can provide different flavor mixtures simultaneously; a user profile is shared over the network and included in a second user profile; the hose includes a decorative light.
 7. An electronic hookah as in claim 6 further characterized in that a cleaning fluid is contained in the housing with a pump to clean the hoses or the manifold prior to producing a vapor. 